Diet and Exercise

Some people might think that surgery for the treatment of morbid obesity is a "quick fix", but it is far from that. Dr. Patel will work closely with you to help you achieve your weight loss goal safely, but you must follow his program as directed.

A pre-operative medical work up plan will be outlined by Dr. Patel that is specific to your individual needs. You must undergo all required testing before placement of your gastric band. In addition, it is important to begin adopting your healthy new lifestyle right away.

Eating after Surgery

Once you have had placement of a gastric band, you will need to follow an eating plan in order to be successful. Our dietitian, Kristen, will help you create a plan that will fit into your lifestyle. Regular diets begin about 4 weeks after surgery. It will be necessary that you adapt to the diet modification as specified by Dr. Patel and Kristen immediately following placement of the Lap-Band.

Some patients find that they become hungry as they proceed through the 4 week post-operative period. Keep in mind that Lap-Band placement is only a "tool to transform" and that adjustments are necessary. More importantly, YOU are the real key to your success.

Remember to stay well hydrated and do not eat solid foods too soon as this will cause the Lap-Band to become dislocated.

The post-operative diet plan includes the following:

Days 1-3 Clear Liquids

Days 4-7 Full Liquids

Days 8-10 Pureed Foods

Days 11-14 Minced Food

Week 3 Soft Foods

Week 4 Regular Foods

During your preoperative nutrition counseling we will review all aspects of eating after surgery. However, to get you started, here is a brief list of the foods included in each stage:

Stage One

Clear Liquids for First 3 Days

Water

Fat Free Broth

Sugar Free Jello

Decaf Tea

Sugar Free Popsicles

Sugar Free Crystal Light

Sugar Free Kool Aid

Isopure Protein Drink - Available in our office for less than it would cost you if you purchased it elsewhere. Isopure is a clear liquid supplement - 1 1/2 bottles daily provide 60g of protein.

Stage Two

Full Liquids for Days 4-7

Nonfat milk or nonfat Lactaid milk
Lowfat/light soy milk

Cream of Wheat or Farina, thinned out

Low fat strained cream soups

Sugar free pudding

Protein shakes (use whey protein, about 20g protein per scoop)

Stage Three

Pureed Diet for days 8-10

Pureed lean meat or poultry

Scrambled eggs or EggBeaters
Low fat cottage and ricotta cheese
Yogurt, nonfat and sugar free (no fruit chunks please)

Lowfat blended cream soup

Pureed vegetables
Mashed beans

Baby food

Unsweetened applesauce

Unsweetened pureed fruit

Cooked, refined cereal such as Cream of Wheat of Farina

Stage Four

Minced Diet for Days 11-14

Minced chicken, turkey, fish

Junior baby meats

Minced, soft cooked, scrambled, or poached eggs

Cottage cheese, small curd and fat free or 1%

Plain, fat free, sugar free yogurt

Soft, minced cooked vegetables

Minced canned fruit, sugar free

Junior baby fruit, no sugar added

Ripe, mashed banana

Cooked cereals (no lumps, no sugar)

Mashed potatoes

Reduced fat mayonnaise or salad dressing to moisten food

Stage Five

Soft Diet for Week 3

Foods during this stage should be soft and moist.
Soft, diced moist chicken, turkey, and fish
Meat salad such as tuna or chicken with small amount of lowfat or fat free mayonnaise
Eggs
Tofu
Soft, fat free or lowfat cheese

Soft, cooked vegetables (no corn)

Canned fruit, sugar free

Soft, peeled, ripe fresh fruit (no seeds or skin)

Cooked cereals

Potatoes (all types except fried, no skin)

Fat free gravies and sauces

Small amounts of the lowfat versions of the following fats may be used: vegetable oil, margarine, mayonnaise, sour cream, peanut butter, and cream cheese.

Stage Six

Regular Diet

Continue to pay attention to tolerance for texture and volume.

Try firmly cooked and raw vegetables, fruits with skins.

Choose healthy foods to increase variety in your diet.

The basic rules of eating after surgery include:
--Eat three meals a day with 1-2 protein shakes between meals (avoid snacking!).
--Each meal should be 4 ounces which is equivalent to 1/2 cup.
--CHEW! CHEW! CHEW! your food a minimum of 20 times before swallowing.
--Be sure to take one chewable multivitamin and 2 calcium tablets every day.
--Stay well hydrated by sipping on water throughout the day, about 64 oz.
--Do not drink any liquids 30 minutes prior to or after a meal.
--Stop eating when you feel full or 20 minutes have passed.

Exercise

If exercising is difficult for you because of arthritis or limited mobility, you can try some of these exercises, but modify the range of motion to best suit you.

Here are a few easy exercises to do at home:

While standing, place one hand on the back of a chair and raise the leg furthest from the chair outward while counting to 10. You should do this in a set of 3 repetitions before switching to the other leg, but don't overwork yourself. DO WHAT YOU CAN!

Another exercise for starters is to walk in place during your favorite TV show. It has worked for many people and before you know it, you will see how this simple exercise can burn calories and help you lose weight. The time you spend doing it will go by so fast because it doesn't feel like work. This is an old method and it really works.

Post-operatively you will be given a resistance band exercise tool that you can use for just a few minutes a day to tone your biceps, triceps and abs. This resistance band is designed to be used by anyone and it is your gift after placement of the Inamed Lap-Band System at the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center.

For more information on AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center log onto: www.atlanticare.org.

There are many home exercises that can be done in no time. You should create a workout regimen that's right for you. Please use caution when working out. NEVER OVER DO IT!

Good Luck!